SECTIONS 1 AND 2 JESUS ND CURCH

Matthew — Date Written

c. 80–90 AD

Mark — Date Written

c. 65–70 AD

Luke — Date Written

c. 80–90 AD

John — Date Written

c. 90–100 AD

Matthew — Audience

Jewish audience / Jewish Christians

Mark — Audience

Gentile Christians, especially Romans

Luke — Audience

Gentile Christians / broader Greco-Roman audience

John — Audience

Christian communities familiar with Jewish and Greek ideas

Matthew — Image of Jesus

Messiah, King, Son of David, New Moses

Mark — Image of Jesus

Suffering Servant, Son of God

Luke — Image of Jesus

Savior, compassionate Lord, Son of Man

John — Image of Jesus

Divine Word, Son of God, God incarnate

1. Salvation

Being saved from sin and brought into relationship with God.

1. Revelation

God revealing Himself and His plan to humanity.

1. Salvation History

God's actions throughout history to save humanity, culminating in Jesus.

2. Two ways to study Jesus

Historical Jesus + Christ of Faith.

2. Historical Jesus

Jesus as a real person in history; His life, teachings, actions, and death.

2. Christ of Faith

Jesus understood through Christian faith as Son of God, Messiah, Savior, and risen Lord.

3. Why Matthew has a genealogy

Connects Jesus to Israel/Abraham and establishes Him as Son of David/Messiah.

3. Genealogy connection

Abraham + David; shows Jesus fulfills God's promises to Israel.

4. Matthew — Virgin birth

Isaiah 7:14.

4. Matthew — Bethlehem

Micah 5:2.

4. Matthew — Egypt

Hosea 11:1: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

4. Matthew — Massacre

Jeremiah 31:15.

4. Matthew's main prophecy theme

Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

5. Prophet of virgin birth

Isaiah.

5. Emmanuel

"God with us."

6. Matthew's visitors

Magi / Wise Men.

6. Sign followed by Magi

A star.

6. Why Magi followed the star

It signaled the birth of the King of the Jews.

6. Gifts of Magi

Gold, frankincense, myrrh.

6. Significance of Magi

Gentiles recognize Jesus; salvation extends beyond Israel.

7. Why Holy Family leaves Bethlehem

Herod wants to kill Jesus.

7. Where Holy Family goes

Egypt.

7. Old Testament connection

Exodus / Moses; Jesus parallels Moses.

8. Where Jesus grows up

Nazareth.

9. Why Joseph travels to Bethlehem

Caesar Augustus orders a census; Joseph is from David's family.

10. Zechariah's wife

Elizabeth.

10. Why Elizabeth's pregnancy is miraculous

She is elderly and previously unable to have children.

10. Elizabeth's son

John the Baptist.

11. Annunciation

Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive Jesus, the Son of God.

11. Who announces Jesus to Mary?

The angel Gabriel.

12. Visitation

Mary visits Elizabeth after the Annunciation.

12. What happens during Visitation?

John leaps in Elizabeth's womb when Mary arrives.

13. Mary's song

Magnificat.

13. Magnificat

Mary's song of praise in Luke 1:46–55.

14. Luke's visitors

Shepherds.

14. Who announces Jesus' birth to shepherds?

Angels.

14. Significance of shepherds

Shows salvation is for everyone, including the humble and poor.

15. How Jesus is incorporated into Judaism

Circumcision, naming, Temple presentation, and following Jewish purification laws.

15. Who recognizes Jesus in the Temple?

Simeon and Anna.

15. What do Simeon and Anna recognize?

Jesus as the Messiah/Savior.

16. Evidence Holy Family was poor

They offer two turtledoves/two pigeons instead of a lamb.

16. Why does the offering show poverty?

Two birds were the offering allowed for those who could not afford a lamb.

17. Why John is called New Elijah

Like Elijah, John is a prophet who calls people back to God and prepares for the Messiah.

17. John's role

Prepare the way for Jesus.

17. What happens to John during the Visitation?

John leaps in Elizabeth's womb when Mary arrives.

18. Nazirite

A person specially dedicated to God.

18. Nazirite practices

Avoided wine/alcohol, cutting hair, and contact with corpses.

18. What does John's Nazirite status show?

His special dedication to God and prophetic mission.

19. Jesus at age 12

Jesus is found in the Temple talking with teachers after Mary and Joseph realize He is missing.

19. What does Jesus say in the Temple?

He must be about His Father's affairs / in His Father's house.

19. What does the age-12 Temple story reveal?

Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father and a special mission.

20. Zechariah's response

He doubts/questions Gabriel because he and Elizabeth are old.

20. Gabriel's response to Zechariah

Zechariah becomes unable to speak until John's birth.

20. Mary's response

She trusts and accepts God's will.

20. Gabriel's response to Mary

He explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and Jesus will be the Son of God.

Matthew — easiest memory trick

Magi + Star + Herod + Egypt + Prophecy.

Luke — easiest memory trick

Mary + Shepherds + Angels + Temple + Simeon/Anna.

Matthew's main focus

Jesus as Jewish Messiah/King and fulfillment of prophecy.

Luke's main focus

Jesus as Savior for everyone, especially the humble and poor.

Matthew vs Luke visitors

Matthew = Magi; Luke = Shepherds.

Matthew vs Luke main parent

Matthew = Joseph; Luke = Mary.

Matthew vs Luke major threat

Herod; Luke focuses on the census.

Matthew vs Luke Old Testament connection

Matthew = prophecy/Moses; Luke = universal salvation and Jewish religious tradition.

Annunciation memory trick

Gabriel → Mary.

Visitation memory trick

Mary → Elizabeth.

Magnificat memory trick

Mary's song.

Emmanuel memory trick

"God with us."

New Elijah memory trick

John prepares the way for Jesus.

Temple recognition memory trick

Simeon + Anna.

Birthplace memory trick

Bethlehem.

Hometown memory trick

Nazareth.

Matthew's genealogy memory trick

Abraham → David → Jesus.